Prokofiev: Piano Concertos No. 3 & Classical Symphony - Gary Graffman piano - Enrique Jorda

This is an interesting CD. Prokofiev's Third Concerto is usually rather contrasted with the fiercely motoring Second and Fourth, but the young Gary Graffman plays is it fiercely and strongly with hard accent and terrific drive. It comes as a surprise after the relatively gentle opening by the orchestra conducted by Jorda. The contrast is interesting and the performance very exciting and enjoyable. Jorda's take on the Classical Symphony is also unusual. Some conductors such as Ansermet either treat it in a classical, chiseled, way - others take it is a romp and piece of fun such as Ančerl or Rodzinski. Jorda does neither - a fairly loose and pleasant late romantic reading, not spruce or light. Again, an interesting view. So far as I know this symphony and the New World are the only symphonies Jorda recorded. So, two performances worth hearing, and a recording of amazing quality and stereo definition.